Surrey gardener identified as father who died after being swept into the sea in Newquay

Six people including an "amazing" father of three who loved gardening, a windsurfer and a mother and her son have died in a string of tragedies along the British coast this weekend.

The accidents happened as an Atlantic storm battered the coastline, with forecasters warning of treacherous weather conditions including 60mph winds, strong currents and blustery showers. A severe weather warning was also in place.

The deaths prompted campaigners to urge members of the public to be vigilant when visiting the coast, with the RNLI issuing a call for families to “respect the water” and steer clear of any places where they could be pulled out to sea.

Rudy and Lisinda BruyniusCredit:
Lisinda Bruynius/PA

News of the first death emerged on Saturday morning. Rudy Bruynius, 33, was on holiday with his family in Newquay when he was washed off rocks into water just off Fistral Beach around 5.20pm on Friday. He was pronounced dead after being pulled from the water.

His wife, Lisinda Bruynius, and two-year-old daughter, McKayla, were rescued after also being swept away, while the couple’s two sons managed to clamber to safety on nearby rocks. McKayla remains in hospital.

Tributes were paid to Mr Bruynius, who was originally from South Africa but had recently set up his own gardening business in Morden, Surrey, where he lived, with friends describing him as an “amazing” person.

Thank you all so much for your prayersLisinda, Rudy Brunynius's wife

Family friend Madelein Jansen Van Noordwyk, whose fundraising page for the family reached £14,000 on Sunday, said he could be "mischievous" and was a "very good dad".

"He was a very quiet, kind guy, my kids loved him as he was mischievous and playful," she said. "He was a very good dad to his kids and him and Lisinda had such a good relationship, it was really lovely to spend time with the family. He was extremely hardworking and proud... We will miss him so much."

Mrs Bruynius, known as Cindy, thanked everyone for their prayers. She also revealed that doctors could not give her an indication of the extent to which McKayla might suffer from brain damage due to her time in the water.

The man, who is believed to have been visiting the area from Hertfordshire, was pulled from the water around 3.40pm on Saturday after tourists relaxing on the nearby beach spotted him struggling against strong currents outside of the “swim safe” area.

Around the same time, David Baker, 67, from Colchester, was found face down in the water off the Essex coast near West Mersea.

He was discovered by another windsurfer just before noon on Saturday and was later pronounced dead. Friends said he was an extremely "affable and friendly man" and an experienced sailor, who had been windsurfing for 20 years.

Mr Baker leaves behind his wife, who discovered her husband had died after walking to the beach to find out where he was.

Rescue takes place at Fistral beach.Credit:
Apex/Apex

Meanwhile, in Scotland, Julie Walker, 37, and her son Lucas, six, were killed after getting into difficulty in "choppy" water.

Five people had to be pulled out of the water near Aberdeen beach and taken to hospital after emergency services were called at around 4.45pm on Saturday.

Julie Walker had gone into the sea off Aberdeen beach to try to save her son, Lucas

It is understood Lucas along with his brother Samuel, 13, were paddling in the water when they were swept away. Their mother, along with two others - a man, 28, and woman, 25 - were also swept out while desperately trying to save them.

Ms Walker and Lucas later died in hospital while Samuel is making a "steady recovery", Police Scotland said.

Officers praised the “heroic” attempts by the unnamed man and woman - who have since been discharged from hospital - to save them, while Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter: "Tragic, heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with all those involved."

Joy Godfray, 31, died after getting into difficulties while swimming on Saturday evening with a man near Green Island in Jersey, taking the death toll to six.

Joy Godfray died after being recued from the sea off Jersey

She died in hospital, the day before her 32nd birthday.

The States of Jersey Police said her family want to pass their "heartfelt thanks to the members of the public and all the emergency services who fought to save the life of their daughter".

Meanwhile, David Barker, 67, from Colchester died after getting into difficulty at sea during a windsurfing session.

He was found face down in the water off the Essex coast near West Mersea by another windsurfer just before noon on Saturday.

He was pulled from the sea and flown by air ambulance to Colchester Hospital six miles away from Mersea Island but was sadly pronounced dead on arrival.